Cleaning device made from closed-cell, latex-free elastomer foam

ABSTRACT

A cleaning device suitable, in use, for picking up hair and particles, the cleaning device comprising a unitary, elastomeric main body comprising a face comprising an integrally-formed wiper blade and an integrally formed channel adjacent the wiper blade wherein the main body portion is manufactured from a latex-free, closed-cell elastomer foam. Suitably, the device comprises an arched leading wiper blade and a flat trailing wiper blade. The device can be used by latex-allergic users for grooming animals and/or for picking up pet hair and other debris from a range of surfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/GB2016/051479, filed May 23, 2016, which is a continuation of United Kingdom Patent Application No. 1603791.3, filed Mar. 1, 2016 and a continuation of United Kingdom Patent Application No. 1508850.3, filed May 22, 2015.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a cleaning device made from closed-cell, latex-free elastomer foam, and in particular, but without limitation, to a device suitable for picking up and/or collecting dirt, dust, debris and pet hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the present embodiment, which, however, should not be taken to limit the present embodiment to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above and one side of an embodiment of a cleaning device in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below and a second side of the cleaning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from below and a first side of a second embodiment of the cleaning device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above and a first side of a third embodiment of a cleaning device in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from below and a second side of the cleaning device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above and a first side of a fourth embodiment of a cleaning device in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from below and a first side of the cleaning device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the cleaning device of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the cleaning device of FIGS. 6 to 8; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view from below of the cleaning device of FIGS. 6 to 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Pets, such as cats and dogs, are prone to shedding their hair throughout the year, which can find its way anywhere and everywhere, including floors, furniture, bedding, clothing etc. Pet hair can be difficult to clean up, especially from clothing or fabric furnishings, for example in residential and/or commercial areas, or car interiors, because it has a tendency to stick to, and bed into, fabrics. Various devices have been developed to help deal with unwanted pet hair.

Where possible, the use of a vacuum cleaner is considered to be one of the most efficient methods for removing pet hair. However, not only is this relatively time consuming, in some situations, the use of a vacuum cleaner is either not possible (e.g. if the user is not near a power source), or is contraindicated (e.g. vacuuming can sometimes damage clothing). Certain vacuum cleaners have been developed that are cordless and specially adapted for hair removal from clothing, but these can be costly and not very versatile.

Alternative devices, which do not require an electrical power supply, include brushes, rollers, and mitts etc., which are described in more detail below.

Firstly, brushes can be used to remove pet hair from animals before they are shed, i.e. at source. Indeed, regular brushing can reduce the deposition of unwanted hair, but brushes are generally inefficient at cleaning surfaces.

Secondly, rollers, for example lint rollers, can be used, which comprise a tacky or adhesive surface to which pet hair and other debris adheres in use. A drawback of lint rollers is that they often lose stickiness quickly, especially when used on dirty surfaces. Unless the adhesive surface can be replaced (which can be costly), the roller quickly loses efficacy.

Thirdly, mitts, which are adapted to be worn by a user glove-like, are often used to remove pet hair from animals, surfaces and clothing. The user wearing the mitt presses and rubs the mitt against a surface, e.g. clothing. Where the mitt is manufactured from an electrically insulative material, static charge builds-up on the mitt, thus attracting hair and dirt particles to the mitt via electrostatic attraction. Mitts are often made of rubber, and so can be washed and re-used, but suffer from the drawbacks of dexterity (left- or right-handedness) and sizing issues (a “one size fits all” mitt rarely fits every possible user).

It will be appreciated from the foregoing, that although cleaning devices exist that can be used to pick up pet hair and other debris, they can suffer from a lack of versatility, high ongoing cost, and a lack of efficiency. Thus, many pet owners tend to need a number of different devices for different scenarios i.e. a vacuum cleaner for removing hair from household surfaces and a roller for removing hair from clothing. This can lead to potentially unnecessary duplication.

A need therefore exists for a solution and/or alternative to the above problems associated with pet hair pick-up devices.

Various aspects of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a cleaning device suitable, in use, for picking up pet hair and particles, the cleaning device comprising a unitary, elastomeric main body comprising a face comprising an integrally-formed wiper blade and an integrally formed channel adjacent the wiper blade.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a cleaning device suitable, in use, for picking up pet hair and particles, the cleaning device comprising a unitary, elastomeric main body portion, the main body portion comprising at least one face comprising at least one integrally-formed wiper blade and at least one integrally formed channel adjacent the or each wiper blade.

The cleaning device comprises a wiper blade, by which we mean an edge that engages with a surface, and acts upon pet hair and other dust/dirt/debris particles. The wiper blade may therefore comprise a blade, and/or an edge and/or a tread or any other configuration of the like.

In use, the cleaning device's face can be moved across a surface to be cleaned. By so doing, the wiper blade lifts hairs and/or other dirt particles off the surface, and the hairs and/or dirt particles are retained and/or accumulated in the channel adjacent the wiper blade.

In certain and/or preferred embodiments of the invention, there is more than one wiper blade and/or more than one channel.

The cleaning device comprises a unitary main body portion, that is to say, manufactured from a single piece of elastomer. Conveniently, therefore, the main body portion can be manufactured by a moulding process, which may reduce manufacturing cost and/or complexity, and/or improve the durability of the device (e.g. as there are no parts to detach from the main body portion).

The main body portion is manufactured from a closed-cell, latex-free, elastomer foam.

Suitably, the latex-free elastomer foam comprises ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). Elastomers have several useful properties. First, they are resiliently deformable, which enables the main body portion, and in particular, the wiper blade or blades to conform, in use, to uneven surfaces, which may improve the efficacy of the device. Second, elastomeric materials, especially foamed elastomers, are relatively lightweight, and sometimes have a relatively high-friction surface, thus facilitating manual manipulation of the device. Third, elastomeric materials are generally good electrical insulators, which may facilitate the build-up of static charge on the face, blade or channel, which may facilitate picking-up and/or retaining hairs and/or dirt particles.

Suitably, the elastomeric material comprises a foam and/or resin elastomer material. Suitably, the elastomeric material comprises a closed-cell, foam/resin elastomer material. The use of a closed-cell elastomer foam/resin may be advantageous for several reasons. First, the closed-cell nature prevents or inhibits the device from absorbing water and/or moisture, which may facilitate cleaning the device (e.g. enabling it to be rinsed-off under running water) and/or improve its longevity (i.e. its surface may dry more quickly where water is not retained in the bulk of the material). Second, by using a closed-cell foam material, if/when the surface wears away, the fresh surface exposed underneath has the same closed-cell structure as the original surface, thus enabling the device to be used even after it has been damaged, worn-down, abraded, etc.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main body portion is manufactured from closed-cell ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin. This material has been found to exhibit unexpectedly good cleaning characteristics due to its low electrical conductivity. This material is also durable, lightweight, has a low modulus of elasticity and is relatively durable. Another advantage of a closed-cell EVA resin is that it is generally smooth, which may prevent clogging. A further advantage of using a closed-cell, latex-free elastomer foam, such as EVA, is that it is hypoallergenic, and moreover is latex-free, enabling it to be used by latex-allergic users. EVA is considered to share characteristics with natural-rubber i.e. resilience and durability, but may be less expensive.

Suitably main body portion has anti-bacterial qualities. The body portion is manufactured from a closed-cell material, which may prevent bacterial growth. It is considered that bacteria generally culture poorly on non-porous surfaces, and usually will not survive longer than a few hours. Suitably, the body portion is provided with an anti-bacterial additive, which may further improve the anti-bacterial properties of the device.

EVA shares many characteristics associated with other rubber-like materials, which make it useful in manufacturing i.e. EVA can be processed like other thermoplastics as it shares a similar mouldable temperature threshold. As such, no special considerations are required to process the material and/or manufacture the device. EVA also has a relatively high friction coefficient, facilitating gripping the device, in use, and also improving the device's cleaning capabilities.

The channel is formed adjacent the wiper blade, and such a configuration may suitably facilitate retaining collected hair and/or dirt particles. In other words, hair and/or dirt lifted by the wiper blade can be immediately transferred into the channel, where it is retained, at least temporarily.

The wiper blade may comprise any one or more of the group comprising: a square edge; a tapered edge; a chamfered edge; and a rounded edge.

In certain and/or preferred embodiments of the invention, the channel typically may have a depth of between ˜2 and ˜20 mm, which has been found to be sufficient to accommodate hair and/or dirt particles collected during a typical cleaning operation.

The peripheries of the channel or channels may be sloped, which may facilitate guiding collected debris into the channel when the device is slid across a surface. The edges may be sloped at angles ranging from ˜30° to ˜50°, or any angle of the like, in which the slopes provide a shallow area around the channel. The sloped, shallow area, in use, may collect debris from wiper blade and facilitate the transfer of the debris from the shallow area to an area of relatively increased depth, e.g. near or at the midpoint of the channel. Suitably, the or each channel may be oriented in a variety of ways, and in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wiper blade and channel extend both laterally and longitudinally such that the device can be used in any direction.

Advantageously, the main body portion may comprise a relatively narrow portion, such that the narrow portion can be fitted into “nooks and crannies” to remove debris from these usually hard-to-reach areas. This may offer an advantage over, for example, lint rollers, which are often unable to fit into small corners.

Preferably, the main body portion of the device comprises an ergonomic shape and/or dimensions, to facilitate a user grasping and using the device in one hand. The device may be approximately 5 cm in width and 17 cm in length, but it is appreciated that different dimensions may be used, and that different embodiments of the invention may be of completely different sizes, for example, smaller (e.g. pocket-sized) embodiments of the device may be 3 cm in width and 6 cm in length.

Advantageously, the device is reusable, by which it is intended that the device can be hand-wiped clean with a cloth to remove collected hair and/or dirt, or simply rinsed under running water. This is a much easier operation than separating hair/dirt from the bristles of a brush. The perpetual reusability of the device is considered to be advantageous both in terms of waste/material usage, and economic terms.

Embodiments of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above and one side of an embodiment of a cleaning device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below and a second side of the cleaning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from below and a first side of a second embodiment of the cleaning device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above and a first side of a third embodiment of a cleaning device in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from below and a second side of the cleaning device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above and a first side of a fourth embodiment of a cleaning device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from below and a first side of the cleaning device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the cleaning device of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view from above of the cleaning device of FIGS. 6 to 8; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view from below of the cleaning device of FIGS. 6 to 9.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a cleaning device 10 in accordance with the invention comprises a main body portion 12 manufactured from injection moulded, closed-cell, latex-free foam, preferably EVA. The main body portion 10 is approximately 17 cm long, approximately 5 cm wide and approximately 3 cm thick, enabling it to be grasped comfortably single-handedly, in use.

The main body portion 12 comprises a slightly convex, generally smooth upper face 14 leading to a nose portion 16, which comprises a series of slightly undercut grooves 18 extending in the lateral direction from one side 20 of the device 10 to the other 22. The slightly undercut grooves 18 form a series of wiper blades defined by edges 24 that project slightly beyond corresponding channels 26.

In use, the main body portion can be inverted (compared to how it is shown in FIG. 1) and the convex face 14 used to wipe a surface to be cleaned (not shown). Because the main body portion 12 is manufactured from EVA, which is a good electrical insulator, and which has a relatively high friction coefficient, the convex face 14 accumulates, in use, static charge, which attracts hair and other dirt particles onto the convex face 14. The collected hair and dirt particles so collected can be readily removed, for example by wiping, or by rinsing the device under running water subsequent to the cleaning operation.

Alternatively, the device 10 can be canted slightly such that the nose portion 16 can be rubbed against a surface to be cleaned, in which case the series of edges 24 will facilitate lifting hair and dirt particles off the surface, where they are collected in the channels 26 immediately adjacent each respective wiper blade edge 24. Again, the collected hair and dirt particles so collected can be readily removed by hand, for example by wiping, or by rinsing the device under running water subsequent to the cleaning operation.

It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that the side walls 20, 22 of the device comprise an array of nodules, 28, which facilitate hand-gripping the device, in use, and which can also be used to facilitate lifting hair and dirt particles off a surface to be cleaned if, say, the device 10 is canted on its side and the side walls 20, 22 of the device 10 are rubbed against the surface to be cleaned.

It will be appreciated that the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings offers a user various options when it comes to cleaning a surface, for example a gently wipe using the convex face 14, more intense cleaning in nooks and crannies using the nose portion 16 of the device; or intermediate cleaning, using the side walls 20, 22 of the device 10.

The underside of the device 10 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, from which it can be seen that the device 10 has a generally planar lower face 30, which forms the main cleaning face of the device 10. The lower face 30 comprises a pair of elongate channels 32, which define the longitudinal wiper blades 34, and a pair of lateral wiper blades 36.

The channels 32 comprise a relatively deep central portion 38, which slopes 40 at an angle of about 30 degrees at its ends to meet the lateral wiper blades 36. The side walls 42 of the channels 32 are substantially square to the longitudinal wiper blades 34. This configuration provides for two slightly different cleaning modes, namely: a more aggressive cleaning mode where the device 10 is moved side-to-side 46, whereby the square edges of the longitudinal wiper blades 34 scrape hair and dirt particles off a surface to be cleaned; and a less aggressive mode where the device 10 is moved longitudinally 48, in which the sloped surfaces 40 leading to the lateral wiper blades 36 lift hair and dirt particles more gently from the surface to be cleaned. In either case, collected debris accumulates in the channels 32, from where it can be wiped away, or rinsed from, the channels, using, for example, a cloth or running water, respectively.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the device 10 in which the underside has a generally planar face 30, similar to that described previously. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, however, there is a generally straight, central channel 32 surrounded by a loop-shaped channel 50, thus defining four longitudinal wiper blades 34 and four lateral wiper blades 36. The function and operation of the wiper blades 34, 36 and channels 32, 50 is as described previously.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, in which the device 10 is shaped in the form of an animal, in this case, a crocodile. The outer profile of the side walls 20, 22 of the device 10 has the shape of a crocodile, having a ridged “back” 60 and “snout” 62. The ridges 18 so formed create the series of lateral blade 24 and channels 26 described previously, in relation to FIG. 1 of the drawings.

Viewed from the underside, as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, it can be seen that the “feet” 64 of the crocodile form generally smooth, flat surfaces 14 that can be used as described previously for gentle wiping operations. Further, the underside of the “snout” 62 and the underside of the “tail” 66 are provided with laterally-extending grooves forming the wiper blades 24 and channels 26 described previously. It will be appreciated that the profile of the device can be shaped to resemble a range of animals, such as a cat, dog, rodent etc., which may appeal to owners of those animals.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as can be seen in FIGS. 6 to 10 of the drawings, the device 110 comprises an arched leading edge 112 and a generally flat trailing edge 114.

The arched leading edge 112 of the device 110 (the first wiper blade) provides a concave inner surface 116 with a plurality of grooves 118 (somewhat akin to tyre treads) in it, configured so as to be engageable with the convex contours of an animal's body, in use. The radius of curvature 116 of the arch 112 will be dependent on the intended target animal, but will usually be around 60 mm. The under-surface of the arch forms a first wiper blade made up of a plurality of discrete block portions 120 separated by grooves 118, which can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings. The block portions 120 are generally truncated pyramid shaped, having an inwardly facing chamfered edge 124.

The trailing edge 114 of the device 110 (the second wiper blade) is generally flat-bottomed, but also has grooves 130 in it separating discrete wiper blade block portions 132. The trailing edge 114 also comprises an inwardly-facing chamfered edge 136.

Located between the leading 112 and trailing edge 114 of the device 110 is located a central groove 140. The central groove 140 substantially extends the length of the device 110, and is adapted to collect hair and/or debris, in use.

In use, on an animal, the leading edge 112 of the device 110 could be considered to act as a groomer, in that it is adapted to disrupt the animal's fur, in a similar manner to a brush. Once the fur has been disrupted, any loose fur, or other debris may adhere to, or be picked up by, the wiper blades 120, 118 of the leading edge 112 and subsequently, by way of the chamfered edge 124 pass into the central groove 140 of the device 110. Collected fur is prevented/inhibited from leaving the central groove 140 by way of the trailing edge 114.

Additionally, or alternatively, the device 110 may be used on a flat surface e.g. flooring, in which only the generally planar trailing edge 114 of the device 110 is configured to engage with the floor surface. In this case, the loose hair and/or debris suitably passed under the arch formed by the leading edge 112, and is caught by the trailing edge 114 in the central groove 140 by its chamfered edge 136.

Near the rear end of the under surface of the device 110, as can be seen in FIG. 10, there is provided a further independent groove 142 located between a pair of chevron-shaped wiper blades 1361, 1362, which is separate from the main, central groove 140. In use, this part of the device 110 may be used for more vigorous grooming using a front-to-back movement 1364.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 9 of the drawings, it can be seen that the upper surface of the device 110, is generally convex 14, so as to provide an ergonomic shape. Toward the rear to mid-section of the device 110, there is provided a grid-like array of generally truncated pyramid shaped block portions 144. The block portions 144 are separated by grooves 146. In use, the upper surface provides a further means for grooming an animal and/or wiping a flat or concave surface. The grid-like array of block portions 144 enables the device 110 to be used in a back-and-forth, side-to-side or circular motion to effect cleaning and/or grooming.

Near to the front of the device 110, there is further provided two spaced apart shallow recesses or depressions 148, which usefully accommodate a user's fingers, in use, and thus may be considered to improve the ergonomic characteristics of the device 110. Nodules 1462 are also provided on the front upper surface of the device 110, which may be used to massage an animal, in use.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments, which are merely exemplary of the invention. For example, the shapes, sizes and dimensions, where indicated or inferred, are exemplary only, and other shapes and dimensions may be selected to suit different applications. Also envisaged by, and falling within the scope of the invention, is the combination of features from different embodiments of the invention, for example, the channels illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings on one side of the device, and the channels of, say, FIG. 3 on another surface of the device. 

1.-25. (canceled)
 26. A cleaning device suitable, in use, for picking up hair and particles, the cleaning device comprising a unitary, elastomeric main body comprising a face comprising an integrally-formed wiper blade and an integrally formed channel adjacent the wiper blade wherein the main body portion is manufactured from a closed-cell ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
 27. The cleaning device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of integrally-formed wiper blades, a first one of the wiper blades comprising an arched profile, and a second one of the wiper blades comprising a generally flat-based profile.
 28. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the or each wiper blade comprises one or more transverse grooves therein such that the said wiper blade or blades comprise a plurality of discrete block portions separated by the transverse grooves.
 29. The cleaning device of claim 26, comprising a plurality of integrally formed channels.
 30. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the closed-cell EVA is electrically insulative.
 31. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the closed-cell EVA comprises an anti-bacterial additive.
 32. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein a side wall or an end wall of the channel leads into the wiper blade at an angle of any one or more of the group consisting of: substantially 90 degrees; and substantially 30 to 50 degrees.
 33. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the wiper blade comprises any one or more of the group comprising: a square edge; a tapered edge; a chamfered edge; and a rounded edge.
 34. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the channel comprises an undercut groove, which extends in a lateral direction from one side of the device to the other.
 35. The cleaning device of claim 34, comprising a plurality of undercut grooves forming a series of wiper blades defined by edges that project slightly beyond their corresponding channels.
 36. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein a surface of the main body portion comprises an array of nodules.
 37. The cleaning device of claim 36, wherein the nodules comprise a grid-like array of generally truncated pyramid-shaped blocks separated by grooves.
 38. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the main body portion comprises a plurality of elongate channels, which define a set of longitudinal wiper blades, and a set of lateral wiper blades.
 39. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the main body portion comprises a generally straight, central channel surrounded by a loop-shaped channel, defining four longitudinal wiper blades and four lateral wiper blades.
 40. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the main body portion further comprises a convex, generally smooth surface.
 41. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the main body portion comprises a relatively narrow portion and a relatively wide portion.
 42. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the main body portion comprises an ergonomic shape and/or dimensions.
 43. The cleaning device of claim 42, wherein the main body portion measures approximately 5 cm in width, 17 cm in length and 3 cm in height.
 44. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the main body portion comprises a side profile shaped to resemble an animal.
 45. The cleaning device of claim 44 wherein the animal comprises any one or more of the group comprising: a crocodile; a cat; a dog; and a rodent. 